Travel to Marseille

There are few things the Marseillais love more than their football team. Plan to have your holiday in Marseille between August and May (French football season) and you can join in the chanting at the Orange Velodrome, France’s largest club football stadium. If you can’t get a ticket, watch the action on giant screens at Vieux Port – either way, the atmosphere is electric.

No city break in Marseille is complete without sampling its most famous dish – bouillabaisse. Legend has it that this aromatic fish soup was created by local fishermen to use up leftover catch. These days it’s found everywhere from high-end restaurants to street food stalls and cafes. Try it at family-run Restaurant Michel, or head to nearby fishing village Les Goudes, where there are several excellent options.

Taking in the views from Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde is a true highlight of a holiday to Marseille. This Romano-Byzantine basilica sits at the city’s highest point, offering impressive 360-degree panoramas, as well as an ornate interior full of mosaics and murals. It’s a steep walk to get here from central Marseille, so catch the 60 bus from Vieux Port if you’d rather spare your thighs. 

Le Panier’s historic buildings and central location make it one of the best areas to stay in Marseille. It’s the city’s oldest neighbourhood and is perfect for an afternoon of wandering to discover street art, browsing artisan shops and drinking in sunny squares. Neoclassical almshouse and chapel la Vieille Charite is both a museum and cultural centre and is well worth an hour or two of your time.

Good for: History, cafes, street art

The city’s main maritime hub, Vieux Portis is one of the best places to stay in Marseille. After you’ve checked out the fishing boats and chosen your fantasy yacht, settle down in a waterfront restaurant for some of the best seafood (and views) on the Mediterranean. If you’re an early riser, head to the port’s renowned fish and seafood market to buy the catch of the day and take some interesting photos.

Good for: People watching, views, markets

If you’re wondering where to stay in Marseille for a taste of day-to-day life, look no further than Prado-Perier. This firmly residential neighbourhood is home to the city’s best schools and green spaces as well as a vibrant daily market on the Prado. Once you’re done making like a local, the city’s main attractions are just a short ride away by bus or metro.

Good for: Parks, shopping, local life

It’s easy to find things to do with family in Marseille, especially if you love the outdoors. Book a sailing tour of Parc National des Calanques to explore quiet coves and beaches, or take a shuttle boat from Vieux Port to the Frioul Islands. These islands are home to the fortress-turned-prison Château d’If, which features in Alexandre Dumas’ classic ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.

Designer boutiques are always an option when shopping in Marseille, but the city is better known for its markets and vintage stores. For secondhand shops, try the streets of bohemian Noailles, and be sure to check out the Marche des Capucins, a Marseille institution selling everything from freshly baked pastries to mountains of North African spices.

Museums in Marseille are as diverse and dynamic as the city’s population. The region’s heritage is on show at Mucem, the Musee d'Histoire de Marseille and Palais Longchamp. Modern art is the mainstay of Musee Cantini and the Musee d'Art Contemporain (MAC). The Musee des Arts Urbains a Marseille is an open-air trail showcasing the city’s best street art.

Restaurants in Marseille have upped their fine dining game, but if you’re on a budget, the L’Estaque neighbourhood has food trucks serving traditional snacks such as chickpea fritters, Marseille-style pizza and Maghreb flatbreads. For a taste of the city’s multicultural community, try Cours Julien, where you’ll find everything from traditional French to Creole and Algerian cuisine.

Much of the nightlife in Marseille takes place outdoors, thanks to the city’s balmy climate. If you’re here during summer, start your night with a pastis at one of Vieux Port’s waterfront bars, then move on to one of the city’s rooftop clubs, where you’ll hear everything from Afrobeat to drill music to EDM. Vieux Port, Le Panier and Le Cours Julien (‘Cours Ju’ to locals) are popular nightlife hubs.

If you’re after a cheap holiday in Marseille, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of free things to do. Soaking up the atmosphere of Vieux Port or Le Panier costs nothing, nor does viewing permanent collections in the city’s municipal museums – though you will have to pay for temporary exhibitions. For a green, no-cost escape from the city, Parc Borely has botanical gardens, a lake and a castle.